Optimized sensitivity and beam pattern of a twin-slot antenna coupled NbN HEB mixer at 1.6THz

W. Zhang; D. Hayton; J. R. Gao; M. Hajenius; W. Miao; D. Liu; T. M. Klapwijk; S. C. Shi

doi:10.1117/12.926028

24 September 2012 Optimized sensitivity and beam pattern of a twin-slot antenna coupled NbN HEB mixer at 1.6THz

W. Zhang, D. Hayton, J. R. Gao, M. Hajenius, W. Miao, D. Liu, T. M. Klapwijk, S. C. Shi

Proceedings Volume 8452, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VI; 84522H (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926028
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

We report on a twin-slot antenna coupled superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer designed for 1.6 THz. Terahertz (THz) radiation is quasi-optically coupled to the HEB with an uncoated elliptical Si lens. Measured DSB receiver noise temperatures are 1500 K at 0.85 THz, 1200 K at 1.27 THz, 1100 K at 1.31 THz, 1100 K at 1.4 THz, and 1000 K at 1.63 THz. This value at 1.63 THz is reduced to 750 K when the hot/cold loads in vacuum are used. The frequency dependence of the noise temperature is consistent with the measured FTS spectral response. The measured farfield beam patterns of the lens/antenna combination show nearly collimated beams with the side lobes below -16dB by adding a 40 μm extension to a standard Si elliptical lens design, which is understood by considering a slightly lower dielectric constant of Si (ε_Si) of 11.4 instead of 11.7. The good performance of such NbN HEB mixers makes it suitable for future high-resolution spectroscopic astronomical applications.

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W. Zhang, D. Hayton, J. R. Gao, M. Hajenius, W. Miao, D. Liu, T. M. Klapwijk, and S. C. Shi "Optimized sensitivity and beam pattern of a twin-slot antenna coupled NbN HEB mixer at 1.6THz", Proc. SPIE 8452, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 84522H (24 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926028

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